Leveraging and Integrating Digital Tools to Support Military Personnel
Leightley, D., & Murphy, D. (2022). Personalised digital technology for mental health in the armed forces: The potential, the hype and the dangers. BMJ Military Health.
Introduction
Leightley and Murphy (2022) highlight the critical need for digital solutions that are not only adaptive but also sensitive to the unique psychological stressors and operational demands of military life. The paper underscores the dual potential of digital tools: mitigating stigma by offering discreet support and leveraging personalised data to improve outcomes. However, the authors caution against the uncritical deployment of technology, emphasizing the necessity for evidence-based approaches tailored to the armed forces’ needs.
Methods
Leightley and Murphy conduct a review, integrating findings from systematic reviews, case studies, and technological trials to identify five core areas where digital technology can enhance military mental health care:
- Early signposting to suitable services.
- Proactive risk assessment.
- Emphasis on prevention over crisis intervention.
- Empowerment of patient independence.
- Outcome-focused interventions.
Results
The analysis reveals promising results for the feasibility and acceptability of digital interventions, particularly when grounded in behavioral change theory. For instance, push notifications and SMS-based reminders tailored to individual users have shown efficacy in improving treatment adherence and outcomes in military contexts. Yet, the authors identify significant barriers to widespread implementation, including, resource constraints limiting the development and maintenance of digital tools, variability in digital literacy among personnel, and cybersecurity threats, particularly for data-rich platforms used in military settings.
Discussion
Authors advocate for a measured approach to integrating digital technology into military mental health care. They propose that technology must complement, not replace, traditional face-to-face care, emphasizing the irreplaceable value of human interaction in therapeutic contexts. Additionally, the authors argue for a patient-centered framework that prioritizes individual needs over generic solutions.
Implications for Mentoring Programs
The findings of this study hold significant implications for mentoring programs, particularly those aimed at supporting military personnel or other high-stress populations. Mentors can leverage digital tools to enhance their engagements, using apps or platforms that facilitate communication, provide psychoeducational resources, and monitor mentees’ well-being. It will be important to train mentors to address mentee’s personal challenges, and also challenges that may arise related to digital tools.
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